The Bald Prima Donna (2022)

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Poster by Bryon Fear, based on artwork by Yves Decamps

by Eugene Ionesco

Directed by Anna Rubincam

Performances: Tue 19th – Sat 23rd April 2022, Old Fire Station


Introduction

The play is set in the suburbs of London in the 1950's. In the words of a band I once heard talking about a riff "if you can follow this you can plat sawdust!!" In the words of the director "Ionesco rejects traditional story structure and instead builds structure upon language, from rhythms and sounds and repetition. Words dominate the characters, either by suffocating them or propelling them inexorably forward."

Cast

Crew

Thanks

Thank you to Irvin and Catherine Rubincam for their clock recordings, Mark Ireson for letting us invade his lift, Bex Law for facilitating our rehearsal needs, Jess Osorio, Kim Goldsmith, the cast of Iron, the bar staff for keeping us watered and Ionesco's ghost which now inhabits that painting on set

Reviews

Absolutely banging! This genre has always been right up my alley and tonight’s pitch perfect performance left me feeling confused, elated, zinging and astounded. Just superb, all of you, THANK YOU!!

Kay Anderson


Huge well done to all involved in Bald Prima Donna - the whole thing was tremendously worrying! Set, music, performances and moustaches all out of the very top drawer. (Though I imagine the furniture out of the top drawer of which it came would be extremely wonky and full of squirrels). Lovely to see Director Anna Rubincam on stage and getting laughs and bows too.

Bob Callender


Congratulations to everyone involved in The Bald Prima Donna! Brilliantly bonkers and captivating performances all round! Break legs for your final few shows, and thanks for the beautifully batty head tilting moments

Maeve Curry


I think Bobby Watson was my favourite bit...that and the headless china ornament (did you spot it?) Only a couple more chances to see The Bald PD... or possibly one, as I think tonight may already be sold out. I have never seen anything like it, its energy, its design, its level of bonkers. What (or who) is that droning? What about that neck? What about that eponymous moment? You may even finally find out who our elusive friend Bobby Watson is. Maybe. Congratulations to the fabulous Anna Rubincam and her excellent cast and backstage team.

Cal Beckett


Brilliant work from the Bald Prima Donna team last night. The craziest show I've seen in a while, but a joy to behold. Great performances all round - I especially enjoyed the physicality that really lifted the characterisation to another level. Super production values and an amazing set, natch. Plus it's very funny. Seriously, don't miss it. You'll be sorry.

Simon Gleisner


Congrats to everyone in The Bald Prima Donna. Superb opening night with great characterisation, expressions and gibberish from all involved - from stalwarts and new (ish...maybe?) members alike. Special shout out though to Anna Rubincam for a tightly directed, wonderfully composed show in the face of challenges. TBP deserves its moment in the sun (well, in a dark room during the evening...so, moment in the moon..?), so for GAWD'S SAKE people, please #BEAD - it's only 70 mins, so plenty of time in the bar afterwards!

Tom Watts


Just had to add my digital congratulations to all involved in the superb production of The Bald Prima Donna! Everything about it was excellent, direction, performances, sound, lighting (footlights!), but for me it was the claustrophobic, slightly off kilter, surreal doll's house set...with the wonderful touch of the low doorway (was it deliberate?!?) and the delightfully eccentric, perfectly detailed set dressing (I managed to sneak a close up look!) that really made the difference! BRAVO!!!

Hayley Thomas


'The Bald Prima Donna' was brilliant. I feel that Ionesco is finally getting the attention his plays deserve. I loved the staging, acting and direction of this production. I am still laughing remembering the facial reaction of the actors to certain lines. Also the Maid's role in the play and her poetry recital could be an enduring memory for me of the play. Please stage more Ionesco and Absurdist plays from time to time.

Barry Watt


Loved it: the dedication to detail, to playing the weirdest shit straight. A supremely entertaining and unsettling evening

Dave Hollander


What a fascinating and quite brilliant piece of theatre. Well done to all. Really loved it.

Janine Wunsche


I loved it, totally mad!

Celia Delaney


Loved the show, mad fun! The maid was really great

Phil Ross


Superb production!

Ian MacEwan


Just to let you know that I thought the BPD was really fantastic. The staging, as well as the acting, was great with a real vision and attention to detail. And it's not possible to single out one of the brilliant comic actors (including yourself), however, for me, the coughing scene was a favourite- the timing was spot on! Undoubtedly one of the best productions I have seen at SLT, or indeed anywhere. Congratulations to everyone.

Chris Stooke


Wow. Saw it last night and wasn't sure beforehand if I was going to enjoy it. How wrong I was. Brilliant perfornces all round and the stage was amazing. Impossible to select just one funny bit, there were so many. If you haven't booked to see the show, do so, though I feel you may have left it too late. I would see it again if it were on for another week, so that I could spot things I missed the first time.

Lydie Koritsas


Utterly bonkers but so brilliantly done!

Jennifer Nettles


Incredible show, thanks to everyone involved for a wonderful evening's entertainment!

Steph Urquhart

Gallery

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

See Also

Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.

Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

External Links

SLT podcast - Anna Rubincam discusses the play

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